Hog carcass configurer

Abstract

An apparatus ( 10 ) configures animal carcasses (C) for processing by leaf lard puller. The apparatus ( 10 ) includes a frame ( 20 ) with a carriage ( 40 ) operatively connected to the frame ( 10 ) for movement and in alignment with a conveyor suspending a hog carcass (C). A connecting member ( 60 ) has a first end operatively connected to the carriage ( 40 ) and a second end moveable between a first position and a second position. A pair of opposable arms ( 72, 73 ) are movable between an open position and a configuring position. The arms ( 72, 73 ) are positioned around the hog carcass in the open position and as the arms move to the configuring position, the hog carcass (C) is moved to the desired width for further processing by a leaf lard puller.

I claim:  
     
       1. An apparatus for configuring an animal carcass for processing by a leaf lard puller, the carcass has been split longitudinally through its backbone, such as a hog carcass, the carcass being suspended on a conveyor, the apparatus comprising: 
       a) a frame;  
       b) a carriage operatively connected to the frame for movement in alignment with a conveyor suspending a hog;  
       c) a connecting member having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the carriage and the second end moveable between a first position and a second position;  
       d) first and second opposable arms operatively connected to the connecting member proximate its second end, the arms moveable between an open position and a configuring position; and  
       e) a drive mechanism for moving the carriage on the frame, wherein the arms are positioned around the hog carcass in the open position and as the arms move to the configuring position the hog carcass is moved to a desired sized for use with a leaf lard puller.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first end of the connecting member is pivotally connected to the carriage. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim  2 , further comprising an air cylinder operatively connected to the connecting member and the carriage, whereby actuating of the air cylinder pivots the connecting member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a closing mechanism operatively connected to the arms, wherein both arms are moved when moving from the open position to the configuring position. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim  4 , further comprising a first air cylinder operatively connected to the first arm and a second air cylinder operatively connected to the second arm, the cylinders for moving the arms between the open position and the configuring position. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim  1 , the drive mechanism comprising: 
       a) a motor;  
       b) a drive belt rotatably mounted on the frame, the drive belt driven by the motor; and  
       c) a clutch mechanism operatively connected to the carriage, the clutch mechanism for selectively engaging the drive belt.  
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising: 
       a) a second connecting member having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively connected to the carriage and a second end moveable between a first position and a second position; and  
       b) third and fourth opposable arms operatively connected to the second connecting member proximate its second end, the third and fourth arms movable between an open position and a closed position.  
     
     
       8. An apparatus for configuring an animal carcass for processing by a leaf lard puller, the carcass has been split longitudinally through its backbone, such as a hog carcass, the carcass being suspended on a conveyor, the apparatus comprising: 
       a) a frame;  
       b) a carriage operatively connected to the frame for movement in alignment with a conveyor suspending a hog;  
       c) a connecting member operatively connected to the carriage and moveable between a first position and a second position;  
       d) a pair of opposable arms operatively connected to the connecting member and moveable between an open position and a configuring position; and  
       e) a drive mechanism for moving the frame from an ending position to a starting position, whereby the frame is moved from the starting position to the ending position by phasing movement of the carriage with movement of the hog by the opposable arms in the configuring position around the hog.  
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim  8 , the connecting member having a first end pivotally connected to the carriage and a second end operatively connected to the pair of opposable arms. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim  9 , further comprising an air cylinder operatively connected to the connecting member and the carriage, whereby actuating of the air cylinder pivots the connecting member between the first and second positions. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim  8 , further comprising a closing mechanism operatively connected to the arms, wherein both arms are moved when moving from the open position to the configuring position. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim  11 , further comprising first and second air cylinders, each operatively connected to one of the opposable arms, the air cylinders moving the arms between the open position and the configuring position. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim  8 , further comprising: 
       a) a motor;  
       b) a drive belt rotatably mounted on the frame, the drive belt driven by the motor; and  
       c) a clutch mechanism operatively connected to the carriage, the clutch mechanism for selectively engaging the drive belt.  
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim  8 , further comprising: 
       a) a second connecting member operatively connected to the frame for movement in alignment with a conveyor suspending a hog; and  
       b) a second pair of opposable arms operatively connected to the carriage and movable between a first position and a second position.  
     
     
       15. A method of configuring a split hog carcass for processing by a leaf lard puller, as the carcass is moved along a conveyor, comprising: 
       a) moving a connecting member from a first position to a second position, wherein arms are positioned around a hog carcass;  
       b) moving the arms from an open position to a configuring position, wherein the hog carcass is configured to be processed by a leaf lard puller;  
       c) moving the arms back to an open position; and  
       d) moving the connecting member back to the first position.  
     
     
       16. The method of claim  14 , further comprising moving a carriage that carries the connecting member, from a first position to a second position by the arms grasping the hog carcass and the conveyor thereby moving the carriage. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim  15 , further comprising engaging a drive mechanism to move the carriage from the second position back to the first position.